Read below to learn more about the Converse Study/Travel trips that are offered for 2008-2009.

The Department of Economics, Accounting, and Business, in conjunction with the Office of Student Life, will be offering a study/travel program to Peru during the January Term of 2009. Service learning is a major portion of this study/travel opportunity.

The program will be centered around the area of Cuzco and will include a trip to Machu Picchu, the Incan mountain city/fortress/citadel “rediscovered” by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

This course will carry 4-hours of academic credit in the Economics, Accounting, and Business Department. Students can register for either ECN 291: Special Topics in Economics which carries GEP, major, minor, or elective credit or register for ECN 399: Study/Travel Seminar which carries major, minor or elective credit. The approximate cost of this program will be $3,500. For more information contact Dr. Woodrow Hughes (864-596-9089).

Dr. Cathy West will conduct a study/travel program in France and Tunisia during January 2009. The group will go to Paris and the French Riviera. Next, they will go to Tunisia, a former French colony, where they will reside with families, work at an orphanage, and tour this historical country which has been influenced by Berber, Phoenician, Arab, Turkish, French and Italian cultures. 

The course will be FRN 265/365 for GEP or Major credit. The cost of this program will be approximately $2200. 

Contact Dr. Cathy West for more information (864-596-9107).

Live with Oaxacan families and take Spanish at the Institute of Communication and Culture. Since Oaxaca is the home of fourteen indigenous groups, you may explore Indian villages and learn about the beautiful hand-made crafts such as woolen rugs, pottery and woodcarvings. 

Courses are offered in Spanish at all levels (265/365). 

The approximate cost for 3-4 weeks in Mexico is $3500 (6 credits in Spanish). 

Contact Dr. King for more information (864- 596-9110).

Several summer programs focused on the study of Arabic language and culture are available through the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations.  In recent years these programs have placed students in Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, and Yemen.  The specific programs vary annually and new opportunities also become available. 

For the current programs through the National Council as well as other opportunities available in the Middle East, contact Dr. Joe P. Dunn (864-596-9101).

Dr. Kevin Delapp and Professor Brent Glenn are planning a program to visit Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. Dr Delapp will explore “the undead” and the philosophical issues they raise, e.g. do zombies have “minds,” how would being immortal change one’s ethical outlook?

Register for PHI 150T for GEP or elective credit. Mr. Glenn is offering Living Theater, THR 105 for GEP, major, or elective credit. The approximate cost is $3000.

For more information contact Dr. Delapp at (864-596-9660) or Professor Glenn at (864-596-9183).

This is a study/travel program designed to expose the student to the current and historical art collections of the museums, galleries, and architecture located in Italy and Greece. Through daily visits to view the art and from various reading sources, students are provided an overview of styles, movements, and content associated with both contemporary and historical art. Students will expand upon their experiences through daily discussions, journaling, and the creation of an individual artwork.

Students may select from the following courses: ART 101: Studio Art Appreciation (GEP credit), ART 317: Studio Art elective, ART 307: Art History Travel elective, EDU 382/582: Clinical II Special Education, EDU 102: Clinical II Early Childhood, and EDU 327/527: Teaching Through the Arts.

For more information contact Mr. Mac Boggs at (864-596-9176), or Dr. Ansley Boggs at (864-596-9084 or 864-579-2938).

Join Professor Masumi Nakashima, Visiting Associate Professor from Fukushima College in Japan, for a study abroad experience to Japan. Students will study the Japanese corporate culture along with Japanese business etiquette, and also have opportunities to visit Japanese manufacturers and the media. Students will experience the Japanese modern corporate culture through direct observation and interaction with Japanese people.

Students will also learn about traditional Japanese culture through experiencing a tea ceremony, studying incense lore (the Art of Smell), hearing and analyzing traditional music and discovering the origin of the kimono. In addition, students take side-trips to national attractions. The approximate cost is $3,300.

Credit: four credits with no prerequisites.

For more information contact Professor Nakashima via e-mail at masumi.nakashima@converse.edu.

Art students may choose to spend the month of January at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. The course offered is ART 317: Travel Study in Art for 4 hours credit.

Contact Professor Prater for more information at (864) 596-9178 or check the Ghost Ranch website, www.ghostranch.org/janterm.

The English and Economics, Accounting and Business Departments are offering a program to Ireland. Students may register for either English or Economics credit to satisfy major, minor or GEP requirements. The total cost of the program is between $3650 and $4300. Please see Dr. Erin Templeton for more information by calling (864) 596-9099 or email erin.templeton@converse.edu. For Economics credit contact Dr. Madelyn Young at (864) 596-9090 or email madelyn.young@converse.edu.